Classical Guitar Festival returns to Pattaya

Following a 1-year hiatus, the popular Pattaya Classical Guitar Festival & Competition is returning to Pattaya at the end of this month, the event taking place at its adopted home venue, the Siam Bayshore hotel on Sunday, October 25.

The festival, now in its seventh year, is the only event of its kind in Thailand, showcasing many of the world’s top guitar makers and musicians. The festival is open to the general public, with collectors, players, music lovers, students and general enthusiasts strongly encouraged to attend. It is the largest and most vibrant event for classical guitar aficionados and music lovers on the Eastern Seaboard. The festival boasts an impressive list of guest artists, luthiers and students hailing from Japan, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Indonesia and Thailand.

Worrapat Yansupap.

The event will kick off with the adult and junior guitar competitions at 09:30, followed by a guitar exhibition at 14:00, Thailand Guitar Society student concert at 15:00 and an afternoon concert at 17:00 with virtuoso stars Worrapat Yansupap, Duo Pongpat Pongpradit and Chuah Yeong Chin.

The “guitar night” concert at 19:00, featuring the expert strumming of Woratep Rattana umpawan, Leon Koudelak, Tomonori Arai and the Maria Duo, an exciting pairing from Japan appearing for only the second time in Pattaya and a ‘must see’ for all guitar fans and aficionados!

Leon Koudelak.

The first prize in the adult competition is a guitar valued at US$4,500, made by the world renowned Indonesian luthier Hanief Palopo.

Admission / festival pass (inclusive coffee breaks) is just baht 400 for adults and baht 200 for students (with valid I.D.). A special accommodation package, inclusive of breakfast and festival ticket is available for baht 2,500 (single or twin) per night at the host hotel.

Tickets are on sale now at the Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa, call 038-428-678 for purchasing or to learn more about the event, visit: www.thailandguitarsociety.com.